The Japanese were mainly hunter gatherers during this period.
やよい Period (400BC - 250AD)
Rice culture is introduced
Japan is ruled by powerful land owners
こふん Period (250 - 538)
Country was united as Yamato Japan
あすか Period (538 - 710)
Japan is governed by emperor and several powerful clans
Buddhism arrives in Japan
なら Period (710 - 794)
Capital city moves to Nara
First outbreak of Smallpox in Japan occurs
Taxes and coins are put into effect
へいあん Period (794 - 1185)
is the beginning of the Samurai Culture
capital moves to Kyoto
most peaceful time in Japanese history
かみくら Period (1185 - 1333)
Mongols try to invade Japan, but are driven away
むろまち Period (1333 - 1573)
a Portugese ship arrives in Japan, and after this other trading ships continue to arrive, oopening the country's eyes to new techonology
あずち-ももやま Period (1573 - 1603)
Japan is more united, military grows stronger
They try to take over neighbouring countries of China and Korea, but fail
were under the leadership of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
えど Period (1603 - 1868)
Tokogawa clan rules from Edo, near present day tokyo
Daimyo come into power
Highest class in society is the samurai class
Boshun war takes place, putting Japan under the rule of an emperor again
Famous Japanese Castles built during some of these time periods were made mostly for the samurai and shoguns. Many have defenses for war purposes. The ひめじ castle was involved in the かきつ and おにん Wars and was restored by Toyotomi Hideoyoshi, who also was responsible for Japans two attempts top invade Korea and China. Both attempts were failures and after Toyotomi died, Japan no longer tried to invade either country. The Himeji Castle:
Image:Himeji Castle The Keep Towers.jpg
The largest castle in Japan
Nicknamed the White Heron because of architecture
Finest surviving castle from ancient Japan
Part of the castle's amazing defense is a maze of pathways in order to reach the main keep
Constructed during the Muromachi Period (1333 - 1573)
Was auctioned at 23 yen in 1871, which was apparently expensive in those days
Movies such as James Bond and the Last Samurai have been filmed at the castle and some video games include it as well
Two other famous castles are the Matsumoto and Kunamoto Castles
By タレン ワラ− and ジェシカ リンフレット
(source: http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ANCJAPANI.HTM)
Japan 1st appears in history in 57AD when it is metioned by the Chinese historians
(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Japan)
The different time periods in Japanese history are:
じょもん period (14,000 - 400BC)
やよい Period (400BC - 250AD)
こふん Period (250 - 538)
あすか Period (538 - 710)
なら Period (710 - 794)
へいあん Period (794 - 1185)
かみくら Period (1185 - 1333)
むろまち Period (1333 - 1573)
あずち-ももやま Period (1573 - 1603)
えど Period (1603 - 1868)
Famous Japanese Castles built during some of these time periods were made mostly for the samurai and shoguns. Many have defenses for war purposes. The ひめじ castle was involved in the かきつ and おにん Wars and was restored by Toyotomi Hideoyoshi, who also was responsible for Japans two attempts top invade Korea and China. Both attempts were failures and after Toyotomi died, Japan no longer tried to invade either country.
The Himeji Castle:
Two other famous castles are the Matsumoto and Kunamoto Castles